Whether your baby is colicky or just cranky, baby swings will bring you hours of relief. It's a must-have if you're raising a newborn. But, like many nursery essentials, baby swings come in a variety of models, with different features and safety components. Today's baby swing comes equipped with music, variable speeds and modern, ergonomic designs that will keep your child comfortable as well as safe.
Swing Safely, Swing Comfortably
As with any purchase you make for the nursery, safety should be the top concern when shopping for a baby swing. Before you step foot in the store, make sure you consult with your doctor to determine when your baby will be ready for the swing. Typically, infants aged 6 to 8 weeks are ready for the swing, and they can use the device until they weigh 25 pounds, which is the most weight baby swings can handle.
When selecting a swing, make sure it has a five-point harness and a wide base with a low center of gravity. The harness acts just like a car seat, strapping your baby to the swing and stabilizing her hips so she doesn't wriggle free. The wide base keeps the swing from tipping over, so there is no need to panic if you need to leave your baby's side for a while.
After safety, comfort should be put before other considerations. Shop for a swing that reclines. A reclining feature will support your baby's head and neck in the early weeks and can be raised to an upright position as your child grows stronger. And you'll be able to let the back down so that your older infant can sleep.
Keep two more features in mind. Fold-up trays will allow you to remove your baby from the swing without bumping arms and legs on the bars of the swing. Sun canopies will keep your baby's delicate skin from harmful UV radiation when using the swing outdoors.
Power the Swing
Most baby swings are powered by either batteries or hand cranking. While the hand crank might save you some money on replacement batteries, it also poses considerable inconvenience. The noise from cranking might wake your baby, disrupting the quiet time you had tried to create in the first place. Battery-powered swings will run continuously and boast additional speed settings, music and other soothing, ambient noises.
A few baby swings come prepared for AC/DC operation, with a power cord for use inside and a battery pack for portability.
Speeds and Sounds
No two babies are alike, and, sometimes, the same baby is completely different from one day to the next. Your baby might want gentle rocking today but a more active movement tomorrow. For maximum flexibility, you will want a swing with a variety of speeds. More advanced swings also offer different rocking patterns, alternating between front-to-back and side-to-side motions to account for your baby's many moods.
Another consideration is your child's development. As your baby grows, you might also find that you need to adjust the baby swing's speed to work with their larger frame/weight. If having a swing that grows with your child is important to you, look for models with multiple speed settings.
Likewise, multiple music choices can make for a better swing. Just like adults, babies will like different music over time. Many swings come with a variety of different sounds choices. With some experimentation, you should find one lullaby that does the trick, no matter what kind of mood your baby might be in.
Look for models with volume knobs that control the overall sound level rather than those that come with only two fixed settings. You should also have the option to mute the chair, as some babies may do best with pure quiet.
Portability and Storage
Will you be traveling frequently and need to take your swing with you? Even if you only plan to use your swing in the yard, you'll want to look for models that are lightweight but stable. If you live in tight quarters or if storage is an issue, you may want to consider models that fold up easily and compactly. Most manufacturers make take-along versions of their swings, which can be moved easily across town or from room to room.
Keeping Baby Busy
Chances are you get cranky when you're bored: so do babies. Baby swings are designed to soothe, but they can also serve as entertaining activity centers. Some baby swings come with simple toy trays attached to the front of the swing, while others include colorful mobiles, mirrors, lights, music and other interactive toys or features. If you're interested in baby swings that offer these options, be sure the pieces are solid, smooth, large and not easily detached.
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